Identifying with the Prodigal Son

Look It Up: Luke 15:11-32

The parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the most famous of all the parable teachings of Jesus (see Chapters 3 and 6). The parable expresses the sacrificial love and forgiveness of a father toward his wayward son. Christians find many important parallels between Jesus’ death on the cross for sinners and the actions of the father in this story:

While the prodigal son leaves the father to go off and do his own thing, the father continues to love his son. In the same way, humans willingly sin and separate themselves from God, but God is always hoping for each person to return “home.”

The father doesn’t run after the son but has his arms open wide should the son choose to return. Likewise, God doesn’t force himself on people, but should they choose to come to him, he wraps his arms around them like the father in the story does.

In light of Middle Eastern culture, the father in the parable humiliates himself when he runs out to meet his returning son. In the same way, Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate example of God willingly humiliating himself simply because he loves the people he created.

In this parable, Jesus offers hope to the most despicable of sinners, as Luke 15:32 says: “Your brother was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.” He made it clear that no sin is ever too much for God. The same hope that the prodigal son experienced is available to anyone and everyone, even the worst scoundrels around.

Detailing the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Look It Up: Matthew 27:32-28:15, Mark 15:25-16:8, Luke 23:32-24:53, John 19:17-21:25

Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the critical turning point in history (see Chapter 5), and it serves as the foundation for their faith. Although the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each have their own identity and emphasis on the events that occurred, all underscore the reality of Jesus as a literal, risen savior. Luke 24:6 boils the hope of Christianity down to a few words: “He is not here; he has risen!”

Going Out with the Great Commission

Look It Up: Matthew 28:18-20

Last words always carry special importance. Whether they’re the last utterances of a dying loved one or the final words of parents to a babysitter before they go out for the evening, people tend to close with words they want the listener to remember. Therefore, just before Jesus ascends into heaven 40 days after his resurrection (see Chapter 5), he leaves the disciples with these very important words:

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Christians refer to this command as the “Great Commission” and as the underlying purpose of the Church.

Appreciating Ancestors in the Hall of Faith

Look It Up: Hebrews 11

Hebrews 11 is sometimes referred to as the “Hall of Faith” because it lists, one after another, Old Testament believers who lived by faith – from Abel (Adam and Eve’s son), to Noah, to Abraham, and so on down to the prophets. Christians consider these faithful believers heroes of the faith, who stuck it out in the midst of uncertainty and hardship. Hebrews 11:1 defines this faith: “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”

Mixing Faith with Deeds

Look It Up: James 2:14-19

The Book of James reminds Christians that faith is more than just saying you believe in Jesus. Instead, true faith means that you live out your salvation through a transformed life:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells him or her, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled;” and yet you didn’t give him or her the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.

As you see from this passage, James dismisses intellectual belief alone as being enough for a saving faith. In fact, he even says that Satan’s helpers (demons) believe in God, though that’s not going to do them any good in the end.

Promising the Coming of the Holy Spirit

Look It Up: John 14:16-17, Acts 2:1-4

The challenge of being faithful in a hostile world can make any Christian feel all alone. Yet, before Jesus finished his earthly ministry, he promised that no believer will ever be alone but will have the presence of the Holy Spirit:

I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.

Then, on the day of Pentecost (40 days after Jesus ascended into heaven), the Holy Spirit filled the disciples. As I discuss in Chapter 7, this same promise applies to Christians today.

Suiting Up with the Armor of God

Look It Up: Ephesians 6:13-18

In the Book of Ephesians, Paul reminds Christians that the struggle they face in this world is not against people and the powers of the visible world, but against invisible, spiritual forces of Satan. As a result, he calls Christians to put on battle gear and be prepared for spiritual war:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.